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Footage of Selena Gomez’s reaction to Chris Brown’s MTV VMA nomination goes viral on X/Twitter.
Gomez won the event’s Best Afrobeats award thanks to her contribution to Rema’s smash summer hit “Calm Down.” Meanwhile, Brown was nominated for Best R&B for his feature on Chlöe’s “How Does It Feel,” but lost to SZA’s “Shirt.”
Follow live updates from the 2023 MTV VMAs here.
As the Best R&B nominations were read, cameras showed Gomez wrinkling her nose at the same time Brown’s name was read.
The Independent has contacted Gomez’s representative for comment.
Chloe Bailey was heavily criticized by fans for her collaboration with Brown on the VMA-nominated track.
In 2009, Brown pleaded guilty to assaulting his ex-girlfriend and superstar Rihanna. Since then, he has faced several more assault allegations from ex-girlfriends and acquaintances, which he denied.
Brown sparked controversy at recent concerts when he was filmed holding female fans by the neck during a stage routine.
Former Love Island contestant Natalia Zoppa joined the 33-year-old on stage at his Manchester leg and was held by the neck by Brown for a total of six seconds.
The action sparked backlash on social media, with domestic violence charity The Cassandra Center responding to the video on Twitter
“This is so unpleasant to watch,” they wrote. “Even the fact that she’s on stage with him doesn’t change her obvious discomfort – as she places her hand on his and wraps it around her neck.”
Elsewhere at the VMAs on Tuesday (September 12), Megan Thee Stallion appeared to get into an “argument” with Justin Timberlake.
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Footage captured from MTV’s backstage feed shows Timberlake leaning in to say something to Megan, who responds animatedly by shaking her finger at the singer and shouting something that can’t be heard on the stream.
A source who witnessed the exchange immediately informed Variety and several other media outlets that there was “no fight” between the two stars.
“He said, ‘It’s so nice to meet you,’ and she said, ‘No, no, that doesn’t count, that doesn’t count.’ “We need to meet properly.”
“It was very sweet,” the source said.
The Independent has contacted representatives for Megan and Timberlake for comment.